Mary Johnson (singer)

Mary Johnson (singer)
Mary Johnson
Birth name Mary Williams[1]
Also known as Signifying Mary[2]
Born 1900
Yazoo City, Mississippi, United States
Died 1970
Genres Classic female blues[1]
Occupations Singer, accordionist, songwriter
Instruments Vocals, accordion
Years active 1920s–1930s

Mary Johnson (1900–1970)[3] was an American classic female blues singer, accordionist and songwriter.[1] Her most noted tracks were "Dream Daddy Blues" and "Western Union Blues."[3] She wrote a number of her own tracks including "Barrel House Flat Blues", "Key To The Mountain Blues" and "Black Men Blues."[3][4] Johnson variously worked with Peetie Wheatstraw, Tampa Red, Kokomo Arnold and Roosevelt Sykes, and was married to her fellow blues musician, Lonnie Johnson.[3]

Biography

Born Mary Williams, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, United States,[1] she ultimately recorded twenty two tracks between 1929 and 1936. These comprised eight songs in 1929, six in 1930, a couple more in 1932, four in 1934, and her final two recordings in 1936.[1][2] Over that timespan her accompanists included Henry Brown, Judson Brown, Roosevelt Sykes, Peetie Wheatstraw, Ike Rodgers, Tampa Red, Artie Mosby, and Kokomo Arnold.[5]

Prior to her recording career, Johnson relocated to St. Louis, Missouri in 1915, where in her teenage years she worked with several of that time's leading blues musicians.[4] She married Lonnie Johnson, although their marriage only lasted from 1925 to 1932. Nevertheless, they had six children.[1] Johnson worked in the St. Louis area until the mid-1940s.[4] Her song, "Key To The Mountain Blues", was recorded in 1948 by Jess Thomas as "Mountain Key Blues."[2]

By the 1950s, Johnson had long since given up a music career, and concentrated on her religion and worked in a hospital.[1][4] In 1960, Johnson was interviewed by Paul Oliver with extracts in his book, Conversation With The Blues. Oliver stated "Living with her mother Emma Williams in an apartment on Biddle Street, St. Louis, Johnson has known considerable poverty for many years."[2]

Johnson died in 1970.[3]

In 1995, her entire known recordings were released by Document Records on the compilation album, Complete Works in Chronological Order (1929-1936).[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Joslyn Layne. "Mary Johnson". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p91121. Retrieved October 24, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d "Mary Johnson". Sundayblues.org. http://sundayblues.org/archives/47. Retrieved October 24, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c d e Thedeadrockstarsclub.com - accessed October 24, 2011
  4. ^ a b c d "Mary Johnson". Redhotjazz.com. http://www.redhotjazz.com/maryjohnson.html. Retrieved October 24, 2011. 
  5. ^ a b Yanow, Scott. "Complete Works in Chronological Order (1929-1936) > Review". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r250739. Retrieved October, 24 2011. 

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mary Johnson (disambiguation) — Mary Johnson was a cricketer. Mary Johnson may also refer to: Mary Johnson (singer), American blues singer, and one time wife of fellow blues musician, Lonnie Johnson Mary Johnson (disability rights) Mary Johnson (politician), Canadian politician …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Ellen Avery — Born May 6, 1927(1927 05 06) Camden, New Jersey Nationality American …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Hopkin — Background information Born 3 May 1950 (1950 05 03) (age 61) …   Wikipedia

  • Mary-Louise Hooper — Mary Louise Fitkin Hooper Born June 12, 1907(1907 06 12) Swampscott, Massachusetts Died August 14, 1987(1987 08 14) (aged 80) Klamath Falls, Oregon Nationality American K …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Mae Ward — General Hospital Portrayed by Rosalind Cash Duration 1994 1995 First appearance 1994 Last appearance 1995 Cause/reason Died off screen Created by Clair …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Therese Friel — (born 1960) is a beauty queen and business woman from New York who has held the title Miss USA 1979. Friel, who grew up in Pittsford, New York won the titles Miss New York USA and Miss USA. She was later a model, and opened her own modelling… …   Wikipedia

  • Mary (Mary J. Blige album) — Mary Studio album by Mary J. Blige Released August 17, 1999 …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Albright — Jane Curtin as Dr. Mary Albright First appearance Brains and Eggs Last appearance The Thing That Would …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Wickes — Wickes guest starring in the television series Zorro (1957 1959) Born Mary Isabelle Wickenhauser June 13, 1910(1910 06 13) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Jones Meyer — World Series of Poker Bracelet(s) 1 Money finish(es) 1 Highest ITM Main Event finish None Mary Jones Meyer was a World Series of Poker champion in the 2006 $1,000 Ladies No Limit Hold em event. As …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”